Imagine standing on a rugged Australian coastline, the salty winds carrying the scent of wild botanicals and fresh ocean breeze. Or perhaps you’re walking through an ancient, sun-baked outback, where earthy aromas fill the air. This is the essence of Australian gin - flavours of the land are captured in every bottle. At Bass & Flinders Distillery, we believe that gin isn’t just about crafting a drink, it’s about bottling a story. A story told through the unique botanicals found only in Australia’s diverse and wild landscapes. We invite you to explore the extraordinary botanicals that make our gin distinctly Australian, and discover how each ingredient brings its own character, history, and essence to the spirit we love.
The Uniqueness of Australian Botanicals
Australia is a vast and varied land, home to some of the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Its unique climate and geography have fostered the development of a stunning array of native botanicals, many of which have evolved in isolation over millennia. These botanicals are not just an afterthought in our gin-making process - they are the very foundation of the flavour profiles we craft at Bass & Flinders Distillery.
Australian botanicals carry a deep, distinctive character. Their flavours reflect the land’s ruggedness, its long history, and the richness of its biodiversity. When distilled, they offer something deeply complex and adventurous...from the citrusy freshness of lemon myrtle to the deep, earthy tones of wattle seed, these botanicals lend a unique Australian touch with every sip.
At Bass & Flinders Distillery, we take great pride in using only the finest native ingredients, harvested sustainably from the land, to create our award-winning gins. Our botanicals, each with its own history and significance, embody the spirit of Australia -wild, untamed, and utterly captivating.
Sourcing with Purpose: Local & Sustainable
The journey of our gin begins long before it reaches the distillery. It starts with the careful selection of botanicals grown locally across Australia. We are committed to supporting sustainable farms who share our values and passion for quality. By sourcing directly from the land, we ensure that our botanicals retain the authenticity and freshness that are vital to producing a premium gin.
In choosing local, we also champion sustainability. Australian botanicals are often grown in harmony with the land, and their careful cultivation supports a deep connection to nature and tradition. The result? A gin that honours both the environment and the craft of distillation.
A Closer Look at Bass & Flinders' Signature Native Botanicals
Bass & Flinders Distillery’s gins are crafted using a carefully curated selection of native botanicals that reflect the flavours of the Australian landscape. Each botanical contributes its own character, working together to create a harmonious, complex, and distinctive gin profile. Let’s take a deeper look at the botanicals we use and what makes each one so special:
1. Native Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Native lemongrass is a fresh, citrusy herb that brings an unmistakable aroma to our gin. Grown in central Western Australia, it offers an intense lemon scent, combined with a light, herbal undertone. Its refreshing citrus notes are bright and invigorating, giving the gin a zesty lift that is immediately noticeable on the nose and palate.
In our gin, native lemongrass imparts a clean, fresh flavour that balances the earthy depth of other botanicals. It’s the perfect starting note, setting the stage for the complex layers that follow.
2. Strawberry Gum (Eucalyptus olida)
The unique flavour of strawberry gum is unlike any other botanical in the world. Known for its sweet, berry-like flavour with hints of eucalyptus, strawberry gum adds a surprising twist to our gin. The flavor is both sweet and aromatic, providing a lovely contrast to more traditional gin botanicals. It’s almost like combining the tartness of strawberries with the refreshing coolness of eucalyptus.
The berry-like sweetness of strawberry gum works wonderfully in gin cocktails, bringing a delightful complexity to each sip. It’s a perfect botanical for those who appreciate a more aromatic, floral gin that still packs plenty of personality.
3. Kaffir Lime Leaf (Citrus hystrix)
Kaffir lime leaves are known for their sharp, aromatic citrus notes. The refreshing, zesty profile adds an invigorating burst of citrus flavour to gin, making it feel lively and refreshing. The kaffir lime leaf contributes not only its citrusy freshness but also a unique, fragrant quality that elevates the overall profile.
Kaffir lime leaf adds a fragrant and zesty lift that complements the other botanicals and rounds out the overall flavour profile with a citrus-forward finish. It’s perfect for those who love a bright, aromatic gin with a strong citrus character.
4. Native Gravel Ant Pheromones (Myrmecia spp.)
The pheromones of the Native Gravel Ant is one of the most intriguing botanicals we use in our Angry Ant Gin. Known for its strong, bold flavours and unique characteristics, the Gravel Ant brings a fiery bite that adds an unexpected complexity to our gin. When harvested and distilled, it contributes a subtly sweet yet peppery note, with musk and earthy undertones that evoke the rawness of the Australian outback. This tiny ant packs a punch, making it the perfect botanical for those who enjoy an adventurous, bold spirit.
4. Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)
Saltbush is a hardy native shrub that thrives in the Australian outback. Known for its savoury, slightly salty flavour, saltbush imparts a grounded, earthy quality to our gin. It’s reminiscent of the Australian coastal landscape, offering a subtle, maritime influence that adds complexity and texture.
In gin, saltbush enhances the earthy flavours, providing a savoury backdrop to the brighter, citrusy notes. The slightly salty profile rounds out the gin, making it a perfect complement to gin cocktails.
6. Wattle Seed (Acacia spp.)
One of the most iconic native botanicals in Australia, wattle seed adds a deep, earthy character to our gin. The seeds of the Acacia tree are roasted to release their rich, nutty, and slightly smoky flavors, which resemble hints of coffee, cocoa, and caramel.
Wattle seed brings a comforting warmth and complexity to our gin, balancing the fresh, vibrant citrus botanicals with its earthy undertones. It’s the perfect botanical for creating a gin with depth and complexity, ideal for sipping or mixing into cocktails.
7. Tasmanian Pepperberry (Tasmannia lanceolata)
For those who love a bit of spice, Tasmanian Pepperberry is a standout botanical in our gin. It offers an intense, peppery kick with a bold, aromatic heat. The berry’s unique combination of spicy heat and herbal notes adds a distinctive warmth to the gin that lingers on the palate.
Tasmanian Pepperberry creates a spicy, zesty finish that elevates the overall flavour profile. It’s a great way to add a touch of excitement to gin cocktails and is perfect for those who enjoy a more adventurous spirit.
- Maritime Gin: An ode to our coastal home where fresh salty air meets the hinterland, where drifting sand dunes gather and disperse along the shoreline. A place where sea breeze cools the vines and Australian bushland hugs our rocky shores. Our home.
- Angry ant Gin: The botanicals, which were hand-picked at Wooleen Station, include Mulla Mulla and Purple Vetch flowers, native lemongrass, native sandalwood nuts, the currant bush; and, of course, the starring botanical, Australian ants!
Crafting Gin at Bass & Flinders Distillery
At Bass & Flinders Distillery, we believe that the art of crafting premium gin lies in the delicate balance of botanicals. Each ingredient is carefully selected not just for its individual character, but for how it interacts with others. We carefully distill each botanical to release its essential oils and flavours.
We use small-batch grape-to-glass distillation methods to ensure that the subtle nuances of each botanical are preserved and expressed. This allows us to create gins that are rich, aromatic, and exceptionally smooth. We take pride in our craft, combining time-honoured techniques with the finest Australian ingredients to produce a spirit that is truly reflective of the land it comes from.
The Future of Australian Gin
As more people discover the world of craft gin, Australian botanicals are gaining recognition not only for their uniqueness but also for the incredible complexity they bring to the spirit. At Bass & Flinders, we’re committed to continuing our exploration of the Australian landscape, seeking out new botanicals and blending them into gins that surprise, delight, and reflect the beauty of the country.
As the world of gin continues to evolve, we remain inspired by the richness of Australia’s natural offerings and look forward to sharing even more exciting creations with our loyal customers and new gin enthusiasts alike.
Australian botanicals are not just ingredients; they are the very soul of our gin. From the zesty punch of lemon myrtle to the earthy depth of wattle seed, each botanical tells a story - a story of the land, the people, and the traditions that shape our gin-making process.
At Bass & Flinders Distillery, we are proud to craft gin that speaks to the wild, untamed beauty of Australia. So, the next time you sip our gin, remember: you’re not just tasting a spirit, you’re experiencing a place, a moment, and a passion for Australian craftsmanship in every drop.
